Fredy earns Angola a dramatic draw
03/20/2025 05:22 PM
Angola maintained their unbeaten start in Group D after they scored a late equaliser to clinch a 1-1 draw with Libya at the Benina Martyrs Stadium on Thursday, March 20.
The Black Sable Antelopes remain unmoved in fourth place, still one point behind Aliou Cisse’s side, who failed to capitalise on Cameroon’s goalless stalemate against Eswatini one day earlier.
Libya had a chance claim top spot from Cape Verde, who leapfrogged them and the Indomitable Lions after beating Mauritius 1-0 earlier on in the day, while Angola were looking to keep their unbeaten record in the group intact following one win and three draws.
The hosts went on the attack early and Neblu had to be at his best to keep out Ahmed Krawa’a on five minutes after the ball rebounded to the veteran forward from a corner.
The Black Sable Antelopes had their first sight at goal five minutes later through Zini, who should have done better when he fired straight at Murad Al-Wuheeshi.
Pedro Goncalves’ side threatened again around the 20-minute mark as Manuel Benson forced Al-Wuheeshi to palm away his fierce strike before the goalkeeper produced a double save to deny first Zini and then Gelson Dala on the follow-up.
However, the pace dropped off in the closing stages of the first half and the two teams headed into the break still at level pegging.
Cisse made two changes at the break in a bid to get a foothold in the game, bringing on Muaid Ellafi and Faisal Al-Badri for Fahad Al Mesmari and Abdallah Dagou respectively.
The Mediterranean Knights would create the first chance after the restart, with Fadel Salama latching onto a ball over the top of the defence on the right and testing Neblu on the hour mark.
Cisse’s substitutes would have the desired effect as Mohammed Salih Ali Sola made an impact just five minutes after his introduction, crossing the ball for Ellafi to head Libya in front on 74 minutes.
Angola threw numbers forward in the closing stages and their efforts were finally rewarded in the third minute of stoppage time when Fredy equalised to earn them a share of the spoils.
Libya (0) 1 (Ellafi 74′)
Angola (0) 1 (Fredy 90+3′)
